Lakers urged to finally cut ties with $101 million four-time NBA champion, 22-time All-Star

Jan 23, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; The Los Angeles Lakers logo at midcourt at the Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Lakers have an exciting offseason ahead of them. 

Fans should expect the 17-time NBA champions to be active from start to finish, whether that be letting assets walk in free agency, signing versatile contributors, or completing big-time trades. 

According to an anonymous Eastern Conference front office executive, one of the Lakers’ top priorities should be parting ways with a four-time NBA champion and 22-time All-Star.

"The first thing they have to do is move off LeBron," the executive told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin on Tuesday. "Let him walk and use the space to retool around Luka. Keeping Reaves is critical. (Luka Doncic) plays best with another ball handler/creator like with Kyrie (Irving) and (Jalen) Brunson."

While McMenamin said the Lakers will welcome James back if he re-signs in free agency, a split may be best for both parties. James helped Los Angeles win a title in 2020 and has helped bring showtime back to Los Angeles.

However, for Doncic to get a chance to take full control of the Lakers’ organization, Los Angeles will have no choice but to move on from the future Hall of Fame forward.

With James being linked to an offseason reunion with his first NBA home, the Cleveland Cavaliers, it would make perfect sense for the former No. 1 overall pick to explore a new NBA opportunity.

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